Exorbitant price alarm in white meat: Fines rain down on markets in Istanbul

Taking action following the increase in demand for white meat with the arrival of summer months, the Ministry of Trade has shared the results of its inspections regarding exorbitant pricing practices with the public. In line with the decision taken at the 49th meeting of the Unfair Price Evaluation Board, millions of liras in fines were imposed on numerous market businesses operating in Istanbul.

THE UNFAIR PRICE EVALUATION BOARD HAS MADE ITS DECISION

The Unfair Price Evaluation Board, operating under the Ministry of Trade, held its 49th meeting to address the findings of inspections regarding the white meat market.

In the statement made by the Ministry, it was stated that inspection activities continue uninterruptedly in order to protect the economic interests of citizens, maintain a fair and competitive trade environment in the domestic market, and prevent exorbitant pricing practices.

The statement included the following remarks:

"As the Ministry of Trade, our inspection activities are being carried out with determination in order to protect the economic interests of our citizens, maintain a fair and competitive trade environment in the domestic market, and prevent exorbitant pricing practices."

INCREASED DEMAND DURING THE SUMMER PERIOD TRIGGERED INSPECTIONS

The Ministry reported that a comprehensive investigation has been launched across the sector to prevent some businesses from turning the rise in consumer demand for white meat with the summer season into an opportunity.

The statement recalled that comprehensive investigations and inspections had previously been carried out by Ministry of Trade inspectors in the white meat sector, and that administrative sanctions had been imposed on numerous businesses by the Unfair Price Evaluation Board during those processes.

10 MILLION 114 THOUSAND 595 LIRA FINE FOR MARKETS IN ISTANBUL

The findings obtained during the inspections carried out in the field by the teams of the Istanbul Provincial Directorate of the Ministry of Trade were evaluated at the board meeting.

As a result of the examinations, it was decided to impose a total of 10 million 114 thousand 595 Turkish liras in administrative fines on national and local market businesses operating in Istanbul that were determined to have engaged in exorbitant price increases.

The Ministry's statement included the following assessment:

"As the Ministry of Trade, we will continue to closely monitor unusual price movements at all stages of the supply chain from production to consumption and to decisively implement the necessary administrative measures in order to ensure that our citizens have access to basic food products at reasonable prices."

On the other hand, the judicial process regarding the white meat sector remains on the agenda.

Under the coordination of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and in line with the findings of the Competition Board and the Ministry of Trade, a wide-ranging investigation had been launched into firms alleged to have hindered competition and caused unfair price increases in the chicken meat sector.

Within the scope of the process carried out in coordination with the Ministries of Justice, Interior, Trade, and Treasury and Finance, simultaneous operations were organized in many provinces, primarily in Istanbul, to ensure that citizens can access basic food products under reasonable conditions.

INSPECTION TRUSTEES APPOINTED TO 13 MAJOR FIRMS

Within the scope of the investigation, in line with the information shared with the public by Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç, "inspection trustees" were appointed to 13 leading firms in the sector to conduct a compliance audit.

It was stated that while the executive powers of the company managements continue, important decisions were made subject to the approval of the trustees.

The firms to which inspection trustees were appointed were listed as follows:

Balıkesir: Banvit and Bupiliç

Bolu: Akpiliç and Erpiliç

Uşak: Gedik Tavukçuluk

Samsun: Ay-Pi Tavukçuluk

İzmir: Lezita Gıda

Ankara: AS Ofis Damızlık Yumurta A.Ş. and Bakpiliç Entegre Tavukçuluk A.Ş.

Istanbul: Şenpiliç Gıda San. A.Ş. and Orvital Organik Gıda

29 SUSPECTS RELEASED UNDER JUDICIAL CONTROL

Within the scope of the ongoing investigation, detention warrants had been issued for 32 people, including the CEO of Banvit, the chairmen of the boards of Akpiliç and Aspiliç, and senior executives of companies such as Erpiliç, Gedik, and Lezita.

The 29 suspects detained in the operations were released by the court they were brought before after their procedures at the police station, with the judicial control measure of a travel ban imposed.

News Source: 12punto